§ Mr. Peter Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total number of employees of the Wessex regional health authority broken down into medical, nursing, ancillary, domestic and administrative categories in June 1983 and in June of each of the previous years from 1978; and what ceiling for the total number of employees has now been agreed.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the total of NHS staff in the Wessex region rather than just to those employed by the RHA. The table shows staff in Wessex at 30 June 1983 and at 30 September 1978–82. Staffing figures were not collected at June for years prior to 1983 and are at present collected only for non-medical staff.
will then decide whether and, if so, how to change the present arrangements or their application. I will certainly consider any further evidence which my hon. Friend cares to send to me and his proposals for change.